A seven-mile scarf knitted by over 5,000 people from around Britain and beyond has been rolled out between the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire. The knitters are calling on Parliament not to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system when the decision comes up in 2016.

The event is the latest demonstration against Trident at the AWE, the site of increasingly frequent protests as the general election approaches in May 2015. Critics contrast the £100bn cost of replacing Trident with the heavy cuts to public services and social security.

‘It is a disgrace that this government is prepared to squander over £100bn on a monstrous Cold War weapons system, while it slashes funding for health, education and other public services.

‘The British public is increasingly fed up with being told there’s no money left while exorbitant sums are earmarked for nuclear weapons.

‘With a Parliamentary vote on whether or not to replace Trident due in 2016, grassroots actions like the Wool Against Weapons initiative are becoming more frequent: representing the majority of the British public who reject this phenomenal and immoral waste of taxpayers’ money.’

‘This is just the start of people’s mobilisation. People have to act because the government won’t disarm without people in their thousands taking to the streets. Many who have been knitting this scarf are now preparing to join the month of action at AWE in March, weeks before a general election that could determine the future of Trident.’

It’s heartening to know so many people still care and are prepared to act. Even better to know people from outside the UK share the same sentiments. I wonder if the Government will ever act on the message that they sshould be doing what the people want, not what they choose to do.
xxx Hugs xxx